Gillibrand seeks extension of canal act

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Erie Canal in Macedon on Monday to tout legislation that would extend the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act for 15 years.

“The Erie Canal corridor is one of America’s richest treasures, and holds enormous potential that we are still unlocking,” said Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

“From Buffalo through Wayne County, where we stand today, and up to Lake Champlain, the Erie Canal continues to fuel our economy and provide New Yorkers with miles of adventure and endless recreation.”

The Erie Canal was designated a National Heritage Corridor by Congress in 2000, Gillibrand said. The result is a federally appointed canalway commission, which promotes the corridor as a tourist destination in conjunction with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The commission also is designed to ensure that the historical and natural features of the canal system and its communities are preserved.

The commission’s authority is scheduled to expire in 2015.

Gillibrand also lobbied for the 2016 Global Mural Convention to be held at a location near the Erie Canal. The convention would bring attention to the canal’s murals and showcase the local communities and artists, she said.